Automatic marker buoy



July 13,1965 J. BUTKA ETAL AUTQMATIC MARKER BUOY Filed May 28, 1963 v INVEEITERS BY l 0 w *W' flTZWRA/EYS.

United States Patent 3,193,854 AUTOMATIC MARKER EUOY liolsn Butira, Trumbull, and Andrew .l. Nelson, Stratiord,

Conn assignors to Butkin Tool and Manufacturing Corporation, Milford, Conm, a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 23, 1963, Ser. No. 283,913 6 laims. (Cl. 9-9) This invention relates to an automatic marker buoy, and, more particularly, to such a buoy having means for automatic expulsion.

One of the problems encountered by outboard motor boat operators is that of losing the outboard motor over the side of the boat. It is diflicult to retrieve such a motor when dropped alongside a dock or in other shallow spots. When the motor is dropped in deeper locations, it may be completely lost, either by reason of failure to snag it with grappling hooks or by inability to locate the exact position where the motor was lost.

Many prior art devices have been proposed to overcome these difliculties. These devices may be generally classified into two groups, those which float the motor and those which provide a marker buoy indicating the motors position. One approach which is common to both classes is the use of inflatable balloons of various types which are actuated by compressed gas cylinders punctured upon submersion. In solving some problems, these devices create others. For example, any apparatus which is large enough to float an outboard motor will be quite large and bulky, even when not inflated. Also, the use of compressed gas cylinders for either floating the motor or inflating a marker buoy, presents problems. The compressed gas cylinders are not reusable. Accordingly, after an emergency a new compressed gas cylinder must be obtained before the device can be reset. Also with any container of compressed gas there is the possibility that over a long period of time the gases may leak out and render the device inoperative. Further, the inflatable bags or balloons may become leaky and defective over long periods during which they are stored in a folded position and subjected to temperature and humidity variations.

Another device which has been proposed for locating submerged motors is a marker buoy which is attached to a motor but is released by virtue of its buoyant force being greater than the force by which it is secured to the motor. The difliculties with devices of this type are two-fold. First, in order that the buoyant force exceed the force of attachment to the motor, the device must be relatively large so as to displace a considerable volume of water. Also, it will be apparent that a device of this type, unless it is quite large, will be only lightly secured to the motor and is therefore capable of being easily knocked loose.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved outboard motor marker buoy. Other objects are to provide such a buoy which is noninflatable, which does not require the use of compressed gas cylinders, will is of small size, and which is forcibly ejected from the motor when the motor becomes submerged. Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the figures of the attached drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the marker buoy of this invention as it appears mounted on an outboard motor;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of this invention partially cut away to illustrate its construction;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the apparatus of FIG. 2, taken along the lines 33;

PEG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the latch mechanism of the invention, and

Patented July 13, 1965 ice FIG. 5 is an illustration showing the manner in which the buoy of the invention marks the location of a sunken motor.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outboard motor M secured to the transom T of a boat, the marker buoy apparatus B being mounted on the side of the motor. The figure also illustrates an alternative mounting of the marker buoy B on the top of the motor.

The construction or one embodiment of the invention will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3. The illustrated embodiment includes a base plate 10 which is mounted directly to the outboard motor housing 12 by means of bolts 14 and 15 secured by nuts 15. Each of bolts 14 and 15 has a hexagonal head which is embedded in the base plate 16 to prevent twisting. However, bolt 15 also includes an upper extension 18 which has a longitudinally extending slot 20 and is transversely drilled to receive a pivot pin 22 through the slot 20 and has a somewhat similar drilled opening 24 positioned below slot 29. A slot 11 is provided in the base plate 19 from its approximate center to a point adjacent bolt 15. Base plate 10 also includes a pair of upwardly extending projections 26 having their lower edges positioned at an acute angle with the base plate it Projections 26 are positioned to either side of the bolt extension 18 and at the same end of the base plate 10. At the opposite end of the base plate ll) there is positioned a latch assembly L.

Mounted against the outer rim of base plate 10 is a cover 28 which includes a central circular wall 30 forming a central well. The wall 30 is cut away to form openings 32 which provide clearance around projections 26 and an opening 33 adjacent the latch assembly L. Both the circular wall 39 and the front portion of cover 28 are cut away to form a single slotted opening 34 extending from the well to the front of the enclosure. The cover 28 is secured to the base plate 10 by means of four screws 36 which extend upwardly through holes in the base plate 19 into suitably tapped matching holes in the cover.

One end of a retrieving hook arm 38 is drilled to receive pivot pin 22 and is positioned within the slot 20 contained in the upper extension 18 of bolt 15. A spring 40 is also coiled on pivot pin 22 and has one end inserted into drilled opening 24 in the upper bolt extension 18 and the other end inserted into a hole 42 in the retrieving hook arm 38. Spring 40 exerts a continuing pressure upwardly against the arm 38 tending to propel it to the position indicated by the numeral 38. The retrieving hook arm 38 is inclined downwardly as illustrated in FIG. 3 and has a horizontal portion which is adapted to lie along the motor housing 12 when projecting through the slot 11 in base plate 10. The unpivoted end of the retrieving hook arm 38 carries a retrieving hook 44 having hook projections 441, 442. The hook 44 is in the shape of a flat plate and is positioned to lie along the upper surface of the base plate it) when the right end of the hook arm, as seen in FIG. 3, is in the extreme downward position. The retrieving hook 44 also includes a drilled opening 46 and an upwardly projecting rib 48.

The marker buoy 59 which is used with this device is in the form of a hollow cylindrical spool having an upper flange 501 and a lower flange 502. The spool may be advantageously constructed of plastic or a light metal in order to keep its Weight and size to a minimum. The buoy 5% is wrapped with a suitable line 52, one end of which is tied to the buoy and the other end to the retrieving hook by means of opening 46. The bottom of the marker buoy spool is provided with a slot 54 designed to engage rib 48 and thereby position the marker buoy relative to the cover 28. The marker buoy Si) is retained in the device by having its lower flange 502 inserted under the lower edges of the projections 26. The back portion forms an ejector 68.

o v .3 v of the spool flange is retained in place by catch 56 of the latch assembly L, aswill now be explained.

Latch assembly L is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 4.

52, until it is clear of the housing 28, as for example in the position 38' shown in FIG. 3..

The marker buoy Stlisnowireleased from all restraints and rises to the surface of the Water, as shown in FIG. 5,

V trailing behind it the line 52 secured to retrieving hook 44. It is irnportant to note that the retrieving hook 44 and the hook arm 38 are, connected directly'to the motor housing 12. through the bolt 15. Accordingly, they are so positioned that an upward force on the retrieving hook side frames 66 so as to partially project through opening 33 into the circular well. One leg of the L-shaped latch member 66 comprises the catch '56, While theother leg Integral with latchmember 66 is an upwardly extending'la-tch plate 7%. A spring 73 exerts a force against the'latch member 66 and its included latch plate 79' tending to rotate them in a clockwise direction about latch pivot pin 62. i V g I In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the latch member 66 is shown in the cocked position. In this position it will be seen that the upper end of latch plate 76 bears against the edge of a generally horizontal sear plate '72 which is connected, as by brazing or'other' suitable means, to a generally horizontal trigger lever 74. Trigger, lever 74 is shaped to fit over the release pivot pin 64 and both it and the sear plate 72 are rotatable about the pivot pin." The right hand end of the trigger lever 74 is slotted and fits beneath the expanded head 76 of a stud 78 mounted atop an enclosed bellows 8%); The slot allows clearance for relative movement between trigger cover 74 and stud '78, thereby comslight force against lever 74- tending to rotate ina counterclockwise direction about release pivot pin .64 so as to maintain the slotted end of lever '74 against head '76.

With bellows 86 in the position illustrated, the sear plate 72 retains the latch plate 76) 'and'its-associated latch member 66 in the cocked position with the ejector 68 posiarm 38 will lift the motor without damage to the relatively light-weight marker buoy base plate It or housing 23. Lifting of the motor may be achieved by either of two methods. If the motor is sufiiciently light and if the line SZ is sufficiently strong, the motor may be retrieved directly by merely haulingrin line 52. However, in many instances-it may be necessary or desirable to retrieve the motor by means of a separate and stronger line. This is easily accomplished due to the shape of the retrieving hook'd twith its hook projections 441 and 442. The end of a retrieving line is secured to a ring of suflicient diameter to pass over these retrieving hook projections. The ring is then'slipped over the upper end of the line 52 and is allowed to descend downwardly along the line until it has reached and snagged the retrieving hook 44' by one of its projections 441, 442. The motor may'then be lifted by the retrieving line.

The apparatus is reset by winding thepaid-out line back onto thespool. The retaining hook 44'is held down against the'base it) while the spool is inserted into the well with the front edge of flange 502 under projections 26.

ejector 68 of latchmernber 66"and repositions latch plate 70 against the edge of scar plate 72. The device is then ready for reuse. t

For identification purposes, the marker buoy may be provided onfits'upper surface with the plate bearing serves the dual function of identifying the motor while it is'mounted' thereon, as shown in FIG. 1, and also of tioned below the flange 5&2 of the marker buoy 5b and l with the catch 56' positioned above the flange to retain the i buoy within the assembly. 7

After mounting the automatic marker buoy on the motor housing the device is prepared for use by securing the free end of the line 52 from the marker buoy assembly spool to the opening 46 in the retrieving hook 44. The

retrieving hook is then depressed downwardly sovthat it lies at the bottom of the circular well 'formed by the wall 3h. The marker buoy spool is then placed in position by inserting the'forward edge of its lower flange 5&2 beneath the. projections 26 and pushing down the opposite side of spool 50 so that lower flange S62 bears against the ejector 68 which is thereby rotated in a counterclockwise position until latch plate 76 is secured by the sear plate/72. The device is then ready for use.

identifying the owner of a sunken motor. a

Many variations and modifications of this invention will be'apparent to those skilled in the art which may a be efiected without departing from its true spirit and scope. Accordingly, the foregoingv description it not to be construed .as limiting, but as illustrative only. The

limited only by the scope of the following Patent of the United States is:

1. Automatically operable apparatus for indicating the adapted to be secured to such object; marker buoy means If the motor should now be dropped overboard, the

increase in pressure on the bellows 86 causes the bellows to' compress thereby lowering the head '76. This depresses the right hand end of the trigger lever 74 and thereby lifts the edge of sear plate 72;,releasing the latch plate 70.

As pointed out, the latch member 66 is spring lo'aded by' means of spring 73 so that uponrelease it rotates in a' clockwise direction, as shown by the dash-dotted lines in FIG. 4." A dual effect results from'such rotation. The

in the form. of a substantially cylindrical spool having at least a first circular flange extending circumferentially around a first end thereof; at least one retaining lug 'means positioned adjacent said base to retain a first portion of the periphery of said; first flange thereagainst; a generally L-shaped latch member adjacent a second portion of the periphery of said firstrflange, said latch member being pivotally secured to said base and having a first position whcreina first leg'of' said latch member ispositioned above said flange and a second leg below said'fiange catch 56 releases the flange of the-marker buoy 5i and the 1 ejector 63 gives a positiveupward displacement to the edge of the marker buoy, starting its displacement from i thev assembly. As the marker buoy 59 is thus released,'it

is completely displaced from the circularwell incover 23 by means of the counterclockwise rotation of the springloaded retrievinghook arm 38 which pivots about the.

pivot pin 22 and lifts the buoy from the. circular well. At the same time, the retrieving'hook arm 38 continuesto rotate counterclockwise carrying with it the end of the line and a second position wherein said first leg is away from said flange and said second leg bears upwardly against said flange; spring means positioned to urge said latch member from it-s first :to its second position; retaining means positioned to retain said latch member in its first position but actuatable to release said latchmember;

pressure responsive means connected to, actuate said retaining means to release said latch member; and means for forcibly ejecting said marker buoy means from said base. y V

2. The apparatus of claim '1 wherein said pressure responsive means is a bellows;

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for ejecting comprises a lever arm having a first end pivotally mounted relative to said base and a second end position able below said spool.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spool includes a length of line having a first end secured thereto and a second end secured to the second end of said lever arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second end of said lever arm includes hook-like snagging projections thereon.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said retaining means comprises an elongated trigger lever positioned substantially parallel to said base and rotatable about an axis parallel to said base and transverse to its longitudinal axis, a first end of said trigger lever being retained by said pressure-responsive means for movement therewith and a second end being positioned to normally retain said latch member in its first position and to release said latch member upon activation of said pressure responsive means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 637,147 11/99 Moriarty 9,-9 1,252,876 1/18 Barrett 99 2,569,977 10/51 Dickinson 9--9 2,820,971 1/58 Welsh et a1. 99 3,059,254 10/62 Dillstone 99 3,105,980 10/63 Hinman 9-9 3,123,842 3/64 Oeland et a1. 99

FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner. 

1. AUTOMATICALLY OPERABLE APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE POSITION OF A SUNKEN OBJECT WHICH COMPRISES: A BASE ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO SUCH OBJECT; MARKER BUOY MEANS IN THE FORM OF A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL SPOOL HAVING AT LEAST A FIRST CIRCULAR FLANGE EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AROUND A FIRST END THEREOF; AT LEAST ONE RETAINING LUG MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID BASE TO RETAIN A FIRST PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY OF SAID FIRST FLANGE THEREAGAINST; A GENERALLY L-SHAPED LATCH MEMBER ADJACENT A SECOND PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY OF SAID FIRST FLANGE, SAID LATCH MEMBER BEING PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID BASE AND HAVING A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN A FIRST LEG OF SAID LATCH MEMBER IS POSITIONED ABOVE SAID FLANGE AND A SECOND LEG BELOW SAID FLANGE AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID FIRST LEG IS AWAY FROM SAID FLANGE AND SAID SECOND LEG BEARS UPWARDLY AGAINST SAID FLANGE; SPRING MEANS POSITIONED TO URGE SAID LATCH MEMBER FROM ITS FIRST TO ITS SECOND POSITION; RETAINING MEANS POSITIONED TO RETAIN SAID LATCH MEMBER IN ITS FIRST POSITION BUT ACTUATABLE TO RELEASE SAID LATCH MEMBER; PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO ACTUATE SAID RETAINING MEANS TO RELEASE SAID LATCH MEMBER; AND MEANS FOR FORCIBLY EJECTING SAID MARKER BUOY MEANS FROM SAID BASE. 